Peralta pitched six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six batters. His commanding display, combined with a decisive three-run fourth inning, helped the Rays respond to their 7–3 defeat in the series opener at Tropicana Field.
Rays capitalise on costly defensive error
The opening three innings developed into a pitching duel, with neither side able to score. Cleveland threatened in the second inning but failed to turn its opportunity into a run.
Tampa Bay finally broke through in the fourth inning after putting pressure on Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick.
José Ramírez made a costly error at third base on a ground ball from Ben Williamson, allowing the Rays to extend the inning and score their opening run. Williamson advanced to second base, while Chandler Simpson moved to third.
Liam Hicks then delivered a two-run single to right-centre field, bringing home Williamson and Simpson to give Tampa Bay a 3–0 advantage.
All three runs were unearned, but the Rays had taken control of a contest in which both starting pitchers had initially kept the opposing batters quiet.
Peralta delivers a career-best postseason outing
Peralta was central to Tampa Bay’s victory, overpowering Cleveland’s hitters with an impressive fastball and effective changeup.
The right-hander recorded six strikeouts across six shutout innings, completing six full innings in a postseason start for the first time in his previous seven playoff appearances.
He threw 99 pitches, including a fastball that reached 99.4 mph in the fifth inning. His performance prevented Cleveland from building on the offensive momentum it had established in Game 1.
Peralta finished his outing by striking out Petey Halpin in the sixth inning, drawing loud celebrations from the home crowd as he left the mound.
Guardians threaten but cannot complete comeback
Cleveland attempted to fight back after falling three runs behind, but Tampa Bay’s bullpen limited the damage.
Chase DeLauter gave the Guardians their only run in the seventh inning with an RBI double off left-handed reliever Ian Seymour, cutting the deficit to 3–1.
Seymour responded by striking out Jo Adell to end the threat, leaving Cleveland with runners stranded on second and third base.
The Rays then shut down the Guardians in the final two innings. Seymour pitched a scoreless eighth before Bryan Baker recorded three consecutive outs in the ninth to secure his fourth save of the postseason.
ALCS series heads to Cleveland level
The victory ensured that Tampa Bay avoided travelling to Cleveland trailing 2–0 in the series. Instead, the teams moved to Game 3 with the ALCS tied at one win apiece.
For the Rays, Peralta’s performance offered a timely response after the opening-game defeat. Their ability to exploit Cleveland’s defensive mistake and protect the resulting lead proved decisive.
The Guardians, meanwhile, will look to regain the advantage on home soil after being held scoreless for six innings and failing to recover from the fourth-inning setback.
Match details
• Competition: Major League Baseball — American League Championship Series
• Game: Game 2
• Date: Tuesday, 13 October 2026
• Venue: Tropicana Field, St Petersburg, Florida
• Halfway through the game: Tampa Bay Rays 3–0 Cleveland Guardians after four innings
• Final score: Tampa Bay Rays 3–1 Cleveland Guardians
• Series score: 1–1
Key performances
• Tampa Bay Rays: Freddy Peralta — 6 innings, 4 hits allowed, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts
• Tampa Bay Rays: Liam Hicks — two-run single
• Cleveland Guardians: Chase DeLauter — RBI double
• Tampa Bay Rays: Bryan Baker — fourth postseason save